Page 33 of Protected by the Fallen
I bite my tongue, and resist telling Vera that mybashertens’attention is what I’m afraid of. Gabe and Joseph are going to be at the banquet. I worry they will have trouble keeping their distance under normal circumstances—our connection naturally pulls us to one another—but adding an alluring gown to the mix can only spell disaster. I am trying to find the words to request a more conservative gown when Vera huffs impatiently.
She nudges me toward the mirror. “Come on. Don’t be shy. Let me admire my work!”
Careful to not trip on the gown’s hem, I move to stand in front of the mirror, and I don’t recognize myself. I look… grown up. Mature. Vera has curled and pinned my hair into a relaxed updo. Baby curls frame my face and the back of my neck. My eyes are painted with dark blue and brown eyeshadow and thick, curved eyeliner. Red lipstick covers my lips, accentuating their shape and fullness. The midnight blue gown drapes over my body as if made especially for me. Come to think of it, it probably was, though I don’t know when Adrian could’ve gotten my measurements.
I admire the smooth fabric as I run my hands over my hips. The neckline shows a line of cleavage but in a tasteful way. My throat is bare, and I find myself wishing I had the thin gold choker my parents gave me as a birthday present on my sixteenth birthday. I rarely wear jewelry, but the modest addition would go well with the bold and elegant gown.
“Wow,” I exhale. “Vera… you’re amazing.” The Nephilim transformed me from a bashful teenager to a stunning beauty. “Thank you for helping me get ready.”
“You’re welcome,” she beams, “but it’s not all my doing. You’re gorgeous. Adrian and Zeke are going to be the envy of every Fallen in the banquet hall. I bet you’re going to get a lot of attention tonight.” She chuckles.
I laugh with her, even though the thought makes a pit form in my stomach, threatening to swallow up the last of the confidence I’d donned during our boisterous departure from the library.
You can do this, Veronica.I tell myself.Say as little as possible and stay next to Adrian and Zeke. You’ll be fine.
Vera takes another look at herself, pinning back a loose strand of her wavy hair, then grabs a perfume bottle from the vanity. She squirts herself once and me twice. “Okay. We’re ready. Let’s go, shall we?”
She is already halfway across the room before I can ask, “Shouldn’t we wait for the guys?”
“No. The males always gather before events begin.”
I hesitate. Adrian and Zeke wouldn’t be okay with me wandering through the embassy without them. There are dozens of unfamiliar Fallen walking through the halls.
Quick knocks rap against the front door. Vera answers, and I smile when I see Zeke in the doorway. His arms are posted against the frame as he tries to catch his breath. I didn’t know Fallen could even lose their breath.
“Sorry, Ron. Adrian and I were caught up with our mother or else I would’ve been here sooner…” The words fade from his lips as Zeke looks past Vera and sees me standing in front of the mirror. His jaw drops, and my heart flutters.
Vera shoots me a knowing grin. “Doesn’t Veronica look gorgeous?” she asks Zeke. He closes his mouth and shakes his head. His expression clears.
“Yes,” he confirms. “Absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” I say shyly then pick up the edges of the gown and walk towards the door. Zeke’s eyes roam over my body, and pleasant warmth courses through me. He holds out his arm, and I slip my hand through his elbow. Vera closes the door behind us and follows.
Jude and Vera live on the fourth floor of the embassy, along with other Fallen and Nephilim I haven’t met. A trail of mostly women gathers behind us, each of them beautiful in their own gowns and fine jewels. Vera greets many of them enthusiastically, gushing over their appearance and politely inquiring after their lives. I hear her ask one about herbasherten.Vera asks someone else how her work with the council is progressing, and she inquires about another’s child. The conversation is so normal. I feel myself relax. These people may be Fallen angels and Nephilim, but they’re still people. They still have normal lives.
We approach the wide, ornate staircase. Zeke slows. I smile and squeeze his arm appreciatively. The last thing I want to do is fall on my face in front of the dozens of gorgeous women. Vera stays with us, but the others pass us on the other side of the staircase. Only some give us lingering glances, the rest continue on their way, maintaining their excited chatter.
“You really do look amazing,” Zeke tells me as we reach the second-floor landing. He admires my gown again, and I am surprised when I don’t flush with embarrassment.
“Thanks.” I look him over. “You look great, too.” Zeke is dressed in fitted tuxedo. A crisp white shirt is covered by a black jacket, but I see his midnight blue bowtie matches the color of my gown. His black hair is gelled to the side in a suave style, and his face is clean shaven. I’m fond of Zeke’s usual black jeans, leather jackets and scruff, but I have to admit, he seriously rocks this look.
He grins and admits, “I usually hate these types of events, but if it means I get to see you all dolled up, I’ll go to banquets every night of the week.”
I laugh, and the sound draws a couple extra glances. The staircase is pretty crowded now that we’ve reached the lower floors, but Zeke and I continue to walk at a steady pace. I look over my shoulder and confirm Vera is still behind us. She is, but there’s at least five steps in between us. She speaks with a pretty blonde, giving Zeke and I privacy.
“What did your mother want earlier?” I think about his angelic father, but I hold back. Now’s not the time to bring up that conversation.
Zeke rolls his eyes. “To introduce us to some of her friends during cocktail hour. I was lucky to slip away. Poor Adrian lost the coin flip and has to take one for the team.”
“Don’t you already know all of your mother’s friends?” I ask, remembering Vera tell me the guys are known by all Dark Fallen.
“I guess re-introduce would be the better phrase,” Zeke says. “It’s been a long time since Adrian and I have interacted with the community.”
“Because you two are lone wolfs, except for each other.”
“Yes, well… no, actually. Adrian and I don’t spend a significant amount of time together either. We check in, of course, but we both lead our own lives until—"
“Until me,” I finish his sentence. I remember meeting Zeke at the kickboxing studio. He’d seemed like a bit of a loner, but a willing one. His mysterious persona is partly what attracted me to him. That, and his masculine beauty.
